Package for a medical device

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. application Ser. Nos. 29/484,142; 29/484,143; and 29/484,145, each of which was filed on Mar. 6, 2014, and each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments hereof relate to a package for a medical device, and in particular, to a package including a corner pocket for ease of removal of the package from a shelf.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Packages, such as packages for medicals devices, are often stacked side-by-side or on top of each other on shelving units or other storage units. In order to maximize space, the height between shelves is often approximately the same size as the height of the packages. Further, packages are often tightly packed or bunched next to each other to maximize the number of packages that can be stored per unit length of the shelving unit. With packages tightly packed on shelving units, it can be difficult to remove a particular package from the group.

Accordingly, it would be desirable for a package to include a feature which allows a selected package to be easily removed from among packages crowded onto a shelving unit.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments hereof are related to a package including a box having an interior volume and a first pocket disposed at a first corner of the box. The first pocket includes a lip configured for a finger of a user to be inserted therein for removal of the package from a storage unit. The box may be defined by a first panel, second panel opposite the first panel such that an interior surface of the first panel faces an interior surface of the second panel, and a top edge panel, a bottom edge panel, a front edge panel, and a rear edge panel each extends between the first panel and the second panel. The first pocket may be defined by a first surface extending from the top edge panel to the front edge panel, the interior surface of the first panel, the interior surface of the second panel, and the interior surface of the front edge panel. The first lip of the first pocket may be formed by the first surface contacting the front edge panel at a first location remote from a first edge of the front edge panel closest to the top edge panel, thereby forming the first lip on the front edge panel between the first edge of the front edge panel and the first location. The package may also include a second pocket disposed at a second corner of the box.

Embodiments hereof are also related to a single blank sheet of material for making a package. The sheet includes a first panel and a second panel coupled to each other by a bottom edge panel, a fold line disposed between the first panel and the bottom edge panel, and another second fold line disposed between the bottom edge panel and the second panel. A top edge panel is coupled to the first edge panel along another fold line. A rear edge panel is coupled to the first panel along another fold line. A front edge panel coupled to the first panel along another fold line. A first pocket panel is coupled to the front edge panel along another fold line and to the first panel along another fold line. The sheet is configured to fold along the fold lines such that an interior surface of the first panel faces an interior surface of the second panel, the front edge panel, the top edge panel, the rear edge panel and the front edge panel each extends between the first panel and the second panel, and the first pocket panel folds between the interior surface of the first panel and the interior surface of the second panel to form a first pocket with a first lip defined by a portion of the front edge panel adjacent the top edge panel.

The sheet may also include a second pocket panel coupled to the bottom edge panel the first panel, and the second panel along corresponding fold lines such that when the sheet folds along the fold lines, the second pocket panel folds between the interior surface of the first panel and the interior surface of the second panel to form a second pocket with a second lip defined by a portion of the front edge panel adjacent the bottom edge panel.

The sheet may also include tabs coupled to the top edge panel, rear edge panel, and the font edge panel along corresponding fold lines such that when the sheet is folded along the fold lines, the tabs extend along the interior surface of the second panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of embodiments hereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention. The drawings are not to scale.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a schematic perspective view of a package according to an embodiment hereof.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is an enlarged view of a corner pocket of the package of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a view of the corner pocket of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> from a different perspective.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is an enlarged view of another corner pocket of the package of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a view of the corner pocket of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> from a different perspective.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> shows a blank sheet of laminar material, such as cardboard, used to make the package of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-5</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a schematic illustration of a step of forming the corner pocket of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a schematic illustration of another step of forming the corner pocket of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a schematic illustration of another step of forming the corner pocket of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is an illustration of the package of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> adjacent conventional packages.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 11-13</figref> show accessing and removing from a shelving unit the package of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> with only a single pocket.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 14-15</figref> show accessing and removing from a shelving unit the package of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> with only a single pocket with the packages on the shelving unit stacked horizontally.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Specific embodiments of the present invention are now described with reference to the figures, wherein like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Although the description of the invention is in the context of a package for a medical device, the invention may also be used in packaging for other products. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-10</figref> shows an embodiment of a container or carton or package <b>100</b> according to an embodiment hereof. Package <b>100</b> may be made of any material suitable for packaging products such as medical devices. For example, and not by way of limitation, package <b>100</b> may be made from solid bleach sulfate carton, cardboard, and other similar materials. Package <b>100</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is generally shaped as a box with an interior volume and includes a first corner pocket <b>120</b> and a second corner pocket <b>140</b>. First and second corner pockets <b>120</b>, <b>140</b> are finger pockets by which a user may easily remove package <b>100</b> from a shelf or other storage unit. Further, although two (2) corner pockets are shown and described herein, it is recognized that a package with only a single corner pocket, or more than two (2) corner pockets, may be utilized.

Package <b>100</b> includes a first or left panel <b>102</b>, a second or right panel <b>104</b>, a front edge panel <b>106</b>, a rear edge panel <b>108</b>, a top edge panel <b>110</b>, and a bottom edge panel <b>112</b>. Although directional descriptions such as “left”, “right”, “front”, “rear”, “top”, and “bottom” have been used to describe the panels of package <b>100</b>, these descriptions are merely used for reference to describe package <b>100</b> as it may be placed on a shelf with front edge panel <b>106</b> facing outwardly and a user facing front edge panel <b>106</b>. However, these directional descriptions do not limit package <b>100</b> as it may be oriented in other directions in space.

First corner pocket <b>120</b> is formed as a chamfered corner between front edge panel <b>106</b> and top edge panel <b>110</b>. First corner pocket <b>120</b> is not merely a chamfered corner, as it includes a depth to form a pocket. As can be seen in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-3</figref>, first corner pocket <b>120</b> includes a lip <b>122</b>, a first side surface <b>124</b>, a second side surface <b>126</b>, and an angled surface <b>128</b>. Lip <b>122</b> is formed by angled surface <b>128</b> contacting front edge panel <b>106</b> at a location remote from a top edge <b>123</b> of front edge panel <b>106</b>.

Similarly, second corner pocket <b>140</b> is formed as a chamfered corner between front edge panel <b>106</b> and bottom edge panel <b>112</b>. As with first corner pocket <b>120</b>, second corner pocket <b>140</b> has a depth to form a pocket. As can be seen in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 4-5</figref>, second corner pocket <b>140</b> includes a lip <b>142</b>, a first side surface <b>144</b>, a second side surface <b>146</b>, and an angled surface <b>148</b>. Lip <b>142</b> is formed by angled surface <b>148</b> contacting front edge panel <b>106</b> at a location remote from a bottom edge <b>143</b> of front edge panel <b>106</b>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> shows a blank sheet of laminar material <b>180</b>, such as solid bleach sulfate carton, cardboard, and other similar materials, used to make the package of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-5</figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> shows the panels and surfaces described above with respect to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-5</figref> and fold lines where blank sheet of material <b>180</b> is folded as described below to form package <b>100</b>. As described below, left panel <b>102</b> and right panel <b>104</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> are considered the outer or exterior surfaces thereof. Thus, the directions of the folds in the description below are such that the surfaces shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> are outer or exterior surfaces of package <b>100</b>. The folds can equally be in the opposite direction such that the surfaces shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> are inner or interior surfaces of package <b>100</b>.

In particular, sheet <b>180</b> is folded approximately 90 degrees along fold line <b>113</b> between left panel <b>102</b> and bottom edge panel <b>112</b> such that left panel <b>102</b> and bottom edge panel <b>112</b> are approximately perpendicular to each other. Sheet <b>180</b> is also folded approximately 90 degrees along fold line <b>115</b> between bottom edge panel <b>112</b> and right panel <b>104</b> such that bottom edge panel <b>112</b> and right panel <b>104</b> are approximately perpendicular to each other. Folding sheet <b>180</b> along fold lines <b>113</b> and <b>115</b> as described above causes an inner surface of left panel <b>102</b> to face an inner surface of right panel <b>104</b>, separated from each other by approximately the width of bottom edge surface <b>112</b>. The term “approximately 90 degrees” as used herein means approximately 90 degrees such that the panels described herein form the general shape of a box and allows for minor variations from 90 degrees provided that the package formed from folding sheet <b>180</b> forms such a box.

Sheet <b>180</b> is also folded approximately 90 degrees along a fold line <b>107</b> between left panel <b>102</b> and rear edge panel <b>108</b> such the rear edge panel <b>108</b> extends from left panel <b>102</b> towards right panel <b>104</b>. Sheet <b>180</b> is also folded along a fold line <b>105</b> between rear edge panel <b>108</b> and a tab <b>118</b>. As right panel <b>102</b> and left panel <b>104</b> are folded towards each other, tab <b>118</b> is tucked inside a rear edge <b>172</b> of right panel <b>104</b> such that tab <b>118</b> extends along the inner surface of right panel <b>104</b> between a corner tab <b>174</b> and a corner tab <b>176</b>.

Similarly, sheet <b>180</b> is also folded approximately 90 degrees along a fold line <b>109</b> between left panel <b>102</b> and top edge panel <b>110</b> such the top edge panel <b>110</b> extends from left panel <b>102</b> towards right panel <b>104</b>. Sheet <b>180</b> is also folded along a fold line <b>111</b> between top edge panel <b>110</b> and a tab <b>116</b>. As left panel <b>102</b> and right panel <b>104</b> are folded towards each other, tab <b>116</b> is tucked inside a top edge <b>117</b> of right panel <b>104</b> such that tab <b>116</b> extends along the inner surface of right panel <b>104</b> between a corner <b>176</b> and first pocket <b>120</b> associated with a fold line <b>136</b>. Tab <b>116</b> is attached to the interior surface of right panel <b>104</b>. Tab <b>116</b> may be adhesively attached to the interior surface of right panel <b>104</b> or attached in other ways. The adhesive used to adhesively attach tab <b>116</b> to the interior surface of right panel <b>104</b> may be any adhesive. For example and not by way of limitation, adhesive product number 2171 or 2174 available from The Adhesive Products Inc. may be utilized.

Sheet <b>180</b> is also folded approximately 90 degrees along a fold line <b>103</b> between left panel <b>102</b> and front edge panel <b>106</b> such front edge panel <b>106</b> extends from left panel <b>102</b> towards right panel <b>104</b>. Sheet <b>180</b> is also folded along a fold line <b>101</b> between front edge panel <b>106</b> and a tab <b>114</b>. As left panel <b>102</b> and right panel <b>104</b> are folded towards each other, tab <b>114</b> is tucked inside a front edge <b>178</b> of right panel <b>104</b> such that tab <b>114</b> extends along the inner surface of right panel <b>104</b> between first pocket <b>120</b> associated with a fold line <b>136</b> and second pocket <b>140</b> associated with a fold line <b>156</b>. Further, pockets <b>120</b> and <b>140</b> are formed as sheet <b>180</b> is folded as described above, and as described in more detail below.

In particular, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 7-9</figref> shows pocket <b>140</b> being formed. Although pocket <b>140</b> is being shown, pocket <b>120</b> is formed in a similar manner. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, as (or after) left panel <b>102</b> and right panel <b>104</b> are folded towards each other, a tab <b>152</b> is pulled out of plane with bottom edge panel <b>112</b> and bent along a fold line <b>156</b> to form angled surface <b>148</b> extending at an angle α relative to bottom edge panel <b>112</b>. Angle α may be in the range of 30 to 60 degrees as defined in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>. Sheet <b>180</b> also folds along a fold line <b>147</b> between second side surface <b>146</b> and front panel <b>102</b> and along a fold line <b>149</b> between first side surface <b>144</b> and rear panel <b>104</b>.

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8-9</figref>, tab <b>152</b> is pushed towards an interior volume of package <b>100</b> such that second pocket <b>140</b> folds along a fold line <b>154</b> between second side surface <b>146</b> and angled surface <b>148</b> such that second side surface <b>146</b> is pushed against the inner surface of left panel <b>102</b>. Similarly, second pocket <b>140</b> folds along a fold line <b>150</b> between first side surface <b>144</b> and angled surface <b>148</b> such that first side surface <b>144</b> is pushed against the inner surface of right panel <b>104</b>. Tab <b>152</b> may be folded along fold line <b>158</b> to extend towards first pocket <b>120</b> along the inside surface of front edge panel <b>106</b>. Alternatively, tab <b>152</b> may be folded in the opposite direction along fold line <b>158</b> to create a double-thickness with front edge panel <b>106</b> for at least a portion of the front edge of second pocket <b>140</b> at lip <b>142</b>.

First pocket <b>120</b> is formed in a similar way as described above with respect to second pocket <b>140</b>. Accordingly, sheet <b>180</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> includes a fold line <b>136</b> between top edge panel <b>110</b> and angled surface <b>128</b>, a fold line <b>127</b> between first side surface <b>124</b> of first pocket <b>120</b> and tab <b>116</b>, a fold line <b>129</b> between second side surface <b>126</b> and front panel <b>102</b>, a fold line <b>130</b> between angled surface <b>128</b> and first side surface <b>124</b>, a fold line <b>134</b> between angled surface <b>128</b> and second side surface <b>126</b>, and a fold line <b>138</b> between angled surface <b>148</b> and tab <b>132</b>.

Then, front edge panel <b>106</b> is folded along fold line <b>103</b> such that front edge panel <b>106</b> extends towards right panel <b>104</b> and tab <b>114</b> is tucked inside front edge <b>178</b> of right panel <b>104</b>. A portion of tab <b>114</b> adjacent first pocket <b>120</b> is tucked between a portion of first side surface <b>124</b> of pocket <b>120</b> and the inner surface of right panel <b>104</b>. Similarly, a portion of tab <b>114</b> adjacent second pocket <b>140</b> is tucked between a portion of first side surface <b>144</b> of second pocket <b>140</b> and the inner surface of right panel <b>104</b>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> shows two packages <b>100</b> adjacent conventional packages. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> shows a package <b>100</b> with a single pocket <b>120</b> instead of two pockets, and located on a shelf adjacent to conventional packages. As can be seen in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>, it can be difficult to remove a conventional package from a packed or full shelf because it is difficult to access a surface to grab or upon which to pull. The large panels of the conventional packages (i.e., left and right panels) are blocked by adjacent packages. The top and bottom panels are blocked by the shelf. A package according to the present application, on the other hand, allows a user to insert a finger into pocket <b>120</b> and slide or tilt package <b>100</b> out of the shelving unit, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 12-13</figref>. Similarly, if the packages are stacked horizontally, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 14-15</figref>, a user can access pocket <b>120</b> to easily remove package <b>100</b> from the shelf.

While various embodiments according to the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of illustration and example only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the appended claims and their equivalents. It will also be understood that each feature of each embodiment discussed herein, and of each reference cited herein, can be used in combination with the features of any other embodiment.